so me and my mom are talking regularly again, it feels really good.. except today it seems there has been an explosion in SharmTwo korean students me and my mother knew were killed, ones mother was a good friend of my moms.

it's all relative, no pun intended. it's good to get perspective on problems like yours. I remember when a good friend of mine was getting over an addiction to shooting coke i would say, "there but for the grace of god go I"

And talking to family is important. I'd like to meet your mom one day.